Along Came Cole

Chapter 19

Alice's POV

The drive down to my parents seemed likes hours. The traffic was sjo busy, I had to wait in the queue for half an hour before I could take the exit on to the road towards my parent's village.

'I'm glad I left early this morning'

Once I enter the town I head down to the little bakery on the market to grab some lunch. I park my car down the road and begin to head down the little alley towards the bakery. Its windows have little wooden animals on display; at the top of the windows are pale coloured buntings going across them. As I open the door the sweet smell of cakes, doughnuts and cookies invade my nose.

As I head towards the counter, I am greeted by the young girl behind the till. Her jet black hair is in two Dutch braids resting against her back.

"Hello. How may I help you today?" A soft smile across her face.

"Can I have a sausage roll with a hot chocolate to go and four of your chocolate muffin cakes please."

"Yes, would you like the cakes in a carrier box."

"Yes, please." I hand her some cash before she heads over to the till placing my order.

She gives me my change then heads over to the other girl behind the till giving her my order before she begins to take the next order. I watch the girl as she puts the cakes into the box and writes my name on my cup before placing it on the counter to take. I smile and thank them before leaving the store, heading back up to my car. Opening the door, I place the cakes on the passenger seat. I climb into the driver's seat and place my hot chocolate in the drinks holder and eat my sausage roll before driving to my parents.

I arrive at my parent's house, I see mum sitting on the porch swing with a book in her lap. Once she notices me she places the book down and walks down the steps towards me. I park up next to dads car and step out to be embraced into my mother's arms.

She pulls away keeping her hands on my shoulders.

"You look so different since the last time I saw you."

"Mum you saw me a month ago. I haven't changed that much except my hair." Her light blonde hair half clipped up and is slightly wavy. She has a blue maxi dress on with flip-flops.

"Where is dad?"

"He is outside in the back somewhere. I think he is doing his gardening. You know what he is like with his nature and gardening." We both laugh as we head inside. Mum puts on the kettle as I walk through the patio doors and out to the garden to find dad.

"Hey, munchkin. How are you?" His hair is shorter than it used to be but you can see the hints of brown through it.

"I'm good. Just need a break from work and that."

"You want to talk about it?."

I shake my head. He smiles at me before turning around placing his gloves on the table and sits down on the bench. Shortly after mum comes out with a pot of tea and cups of us. We sit by the little waterfall whilst we catch up and drink our tea.

"I'm going to head inside and start getting dinner ready." Mum says as she clears the table before walking back inside.

"I should let you get back to gardening. I need to unpack my bags."

"Okay. Shout me when dinner is nearly done so I can get cleaned up." Placing his hands up to show me them. 

I nod before walking through the side passageway to my car. I grab my bag from the boot and collect the cakes before heading back inside. I walk into the kitchen and place the muffins down on the kitchen counter before walking up the stairs to the guest bedroom.